Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1887-11-25

/ hodges ana L. Il. Rogers, OF NOJOlN ,
/ j.. NJ. Miller. of Fredericksburg John
4 ii. Moore and Il. L. Meneiee, of Lynch
burg A. Buff, of Portsmouth ; i. A.
Reed, of Alexandria ; II. BurkhOlder, of
/ Harrisonburg, and others.
/ The Grand Commanders address was
read and heard with interest. 1t was n
care!ulIy-preparad document relating 20
Templar matters, and was well deiy-
cred.
ELECTION or OFFICERS.
After discussion OF matters of interest
to the order the assembly went into an
election OF officers for the ensuing year,
with the following result Grand Com
mandey, James b. Blanks, of Peters
burg; Deputy Grand Commander,
James L. Beck, of Lynchburg ; Grand
Generalissimo, Thomas j. Evans, Of
Richmond; Grand Captain General.
Isaac S. Tower, of Richmond Grand
PreIate, Rev. George W. Dame. D. d.,
of Danville; Grand Senior Warden,
Daniel J. Turner, of Portsmouth !;
Grand Junior Warden, j. j.. Avis, OF
Harrisonburg Grand Treasurer, ". T..
Allen, of Richmond Grand Recorder,
William b. Isaacs, of Richmond Grand
Standard Bearer, Fred. Greenwood, of
Norfolk; Grand Sword-Bearer, L. +.
Downham, of Alexandria Grand War
der, J. p. Corbin, of Fredericksburg.
These oflicers-elect were dnly installed
at the afternoon session. Mr.. James b.
Blanks, the newly-elected grand com
mander, is one of the most enthusiastic
Masons and Knights Templars in the
State, and his elevation to that Office IS
O merited honor to himself and an honor
to our city.
Therepresentatives in the assembly from
Appomattox Commandery, No. =, were
Eminent Commander Il. 4. Wilson, Gen
eralissimo John +. Townes, and Captain
General Charles II. Kruse.
The arrangements for the reception
and entertainment of the Grand Com
mandery, which were formulated IN such
faultless style and with such eminent
success, were prepared by a committee
OF Appomattox Commandery composed OF
the following Sir Knights: James b.
Blanks (chailman), K. L. Wilson, John
f.. Townes, Charles H. Kruse, John L.
Parham. and William r. Nichols.
SPECIAL TEdPLAR THANKSGIVING.
The business session ended, Thanks
giving Day was observed with special re-
ligious and thanksgiving services to-
night at the Tabb Street Presbyterian
church, in which a crowded congrega-
ton was assembled. These services were
held under the auspices of Appomattox
Commandery, and were conducted by
the Eminent Grand Prelate. The mem
bers of the Grand Commandery, escorted
by AppomattoX COmmandery, entered
the church-all in uniform-to the air of
the hymn +" Onward, Christian Soldiers, "
sung by the choir.
Then, oil rising, the Prelate, in the
words of the service of the Episcopal
Church, said "The Lord is in His holy
temple let all the earth keep silence
before Him" "From the rising of the
sun to the going down of the same my
name shall be great among the Gentiles,
and in every place incense shall be
offered unto My name, and pure offer
ing ; for Ny name shall he great among
the heather, saith the Lord of Hosts.
Then was sung by the vast coDgrega-
ton, led by the choir, Praise God
from Whom All Blessings Flow fol-
lowed by the Confession of Faith, the
Absolution, and the Lords Prayer, and
the singing of the hymn "Soldiers of
/ Christ, Arise
The prelate then read Psalm CHI. and
she choir sang the chant; 80, Come
Let Us Sing Unto the Lord"
The Faith of the Sir knights was then
declared by the prelate, followed Iy
payer and the singing of the Corona
tiC hymn, in which all joined.
These services were very impressive
and OF special interest by reason of the
healtincss in which they were joined by
all present. The address on the occa-
sion was delivered by Rev. George c.
Vanderslice, which treated especially of
the Christian principles and practices of
Knights Templars and which was listen
ed to with deep interest.
After the services at the church the
Sir Knights assembled in the large hall
of the Masonic building, on Tabb street,
to partake Of the banquet which had
been prepared in honor Of the Grand
Commandery. Templar flags lung in
front of the building and the walls Of
the hall were handsomely decorated
with notices, flags, and pictures in
honor of the occasion. The menu,
consisting of fifteen courses, was a
splendid One-one Of the most elegant
ever spread in Petersburg. The tables
were graced by the presence of many
ladies, and everything passed OFF in the
most decorous and pleasant manner. In
deed, in all respects the session of the
Grand Commandery in our city to-day
will prove one of the most notable and
pleasing events of the year.
ROBIN ADAIR.